The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-07-21
THE NATIONAL OPERA.

That Astounding Woman, Mrs. Thurber, Ac
rualiy Contemplates Another Season of 1t.
n. Y. Letter in Philadelphia Times
The only explanation of the present astoEish-
ing condition of affairs vouchsafed by Mrs. Thur
Der is that she has been deceived by promises of
support which were not fulfilled. The first plea
TO the effect that the book keepers of the COM
pany had failed to make ou. the proper state
ments was abandoned absurd at the end of tho
first week. and now we are told that whereas Mrs.
Thurber had received promises of nearly
$500, 600 from Western people in Gin
cnnati, St. Louis and Chicago, less than
81 900 have been received. She made contracts
and ran the season as if there were no doubt
about the subscriptions being ready when they
were called for. As to the prospects of these
poor people getting their money. or a part of it,
/ understand from lawyers who have looked
into the case that there is but little hope. When
the directors who know anything about the mat
ter are forced into court it will probably be
found that the property OF the company-scen-
cry, cortumes etc-are are mortgaged up to
their full value and that the directors are
not responsible for the debts of the concern.
According to law, director in an association OF
this kind is responsible for its debts up to the
value of the stock he holds. But it is whispered
that the directors who have played the most i'm
portant part were, long ago. cautious enough to
reduce the amount of their stock to insienifcant
figures. Thus, it is said, that Mrs. Thurber her
self, holds but SIS, 600 worth OF the stock. and
she is the largest stakeholder. The lawyers
who have already undertaken to collect claims
put into their hands by some of the chief sing
eES. ma mat tue directors snap Enelr n1EcFS at
Judgments, and no one seems to know where Is
to be- found property which can be sold. Even
il the costumes and scenery could be attached.
this sort of property Is very costly to buy ana
almost worthless when it has to be sold. Upon
the whole, if the creditors of the American
National Opera Company get ten cents on the
dollar they will be doing WELL according to some
of the expert opinions given by lawyers
who have looked into the business.
It is still said that Mrs. Thurber talks with con-
fidence about another season under a new drec-
fnr QYdyU n n0u hHS IN
hard to believe that anything of the kind IS
seriously contemplated unless Mrs. Thurber has
made up her mind to sink another $4,000 in
tn enterprise for it will certainly require this
amount to go The back salaries to the ex-
tent of 500, 900 will have to be paid, and
singer who can obtain an engagement else
where will sign a contract with the
National Company without knowing
that the money for a salary is in safe deposit
company, there will be a necessity for $50, 600
more to be used as a guarantee fund. Then there
will be more costumes and scenery, and at least
the amount l mentioned will be necessary ltls
not to be supposed that anyone besides Mrs.
Thurber has sufficient interest in carrying on
the speculation to furnish any money.
and MIR. Thurber will have to roll a
great many cans OF corned- beef and
picked oysters to make him feel like risk
report. he has already spent about $780, 900 in
order to crafty his wifess whim. Much is said
about Mr.. Thomas share in the tiasco and there
is, am sorry to say, but very little sympathy
expressed for him. Thomas is not favorte
either in society or with the press He is harsh.
domineering. egotistical to degree, and there
not few pers ons who not sorry to hear
of the end of the scheme in which he has been
prominent Thomas himself ascribes the
failure of the enterprise to financial
iooseness and it is said that he is himself cred
tor to the extent of about $4,000. Certainly
he has no reason to complain of the financial
outcome of Mrs. Thurbers experiment. for
cording to his own admissions he has pocketed
something like SIS, 900 for part Of his time dur
ing two seasons 1t is not long ago that
Thomas would have been glad to give his whole
time for a salary Of SIS. 900 year. His many
warm friends in NewaYork regret moro the loss
of prestige which Thomas has suffered in the
last two years than the loss of money.